Preparation of cotton fabric using sodium alginate-coated nanoparticles to protect against nosocomial pathogens

There is a vital need for the production of clean, hygienic, and antibacterial textile fabric for use as hospital clothing, surgical scrubs and linens to protect against nosocomial pathogens. In the present study, cotton fabrics were treated with sodium alginate-capped silver nanoparticles and were tested for antibacterial activity against nosocomial pathogens. The sodium alginate-capped silver nanoparticles were synthesized under various experimental conditions by using varying sodium alginate concentrations (0.5-2%), volumes of reducing agent aniline (50, 100, 150 mu L), and durations of heat treatment (30-240s). The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the antibacterial efficacy of sodium alginate-capped silver nanoparticles treated cotton fabrics were tested against different nosocomial pathogens (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus). The results clearly showed that the sodium alginate-capped silver nanoparticles treated cotton fabrics exhibit excellent antibacterial activity for use in different medical textile fields. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.